Betrothed

Part Six [End]

If not for the sudden explosion sound effects coming from the TV, Bran would have forgotten where he was. His grandmother was only a few yards away watching an old action filled series and he was lost in Finn's eyes.

Silence had befallen the two  boys. Sensing the need for the two to have their privacy and at the same time break the tension, she said aloud, "The backyard is clear."

Finn took it as a cue and dragged Bran outside, the screen door swinging as they left and stepped out.

Without warning, Finn pulled Bran into his arms. "I want to marry you. Even my parents are pushing me to do it. Ater seeing you, I pulled aside my fear and told myself I should live up to my promises. I need you, baby."

"Then why did you leave?"

Finn slowly pulled away and led Bran to an old bench under a persimmon tree. "You were still so young back then, love. What I felt was... indecent."

"Indecent?" Bran asked innocently.

Finn wasn't letting Bran's hand go. He brought it his lips and kissed it.

"I was eighteen, my feelings we're stronger. I knew it was wrong. I had to leave. I wanted you even back then. So I ran away."

"Have you always liked me?"

"Always." Finn said softly. "I have liked you since I laid eyes on you. That like turned to love, deeper affection. And then desire. I had to go far... far away."

"You're an idiot, P'Finn." Bran quickly murmured.

Caught off guard by the insult, Finn shifted and turned to face the boy sitting next to him. "Am I what?"

"An idiot." Bran repeated with the same seriousness he had on his face. There was silence between them again then crickets began chirping on cue, as if judging Finnegan as well.

"Fine. You left because of guilt from feeling deep affection for me. But did you have to not send me a single letter? A call? A text?" He turned his head away from Finn and directed his eyes towards the starless sky.

"You made me cry all these years... because you're an idiot." He sighed and threw Finn a quick glance, the latter having he look of disbelief, silenced by the boy next to him.

"I don't want to marry an idiot." Bran murmured and attempted to abandon Finn on the bench alone. Finn was quick to pull him back. Bran winced when his butt hit the bench harshly.

"Oh shit. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Finn repeatedly apologized as he made the other sit on his lap. "I forgot we were sitting on a wooden bench. Does it hurt?" Like he used to before, Finn rubbed where Bran was hurting.

With widened eyes, Bran slapped Finn's hand off his behind. "Phi!"

"What?" Finn asked innocently. "I was just gonna rub it off--- Oh, crap." Finn caught on his act just in time. Or maybe too late.

Two figures we're standing by the kitchen door. Finn's parents.

"We told you to win his heart. Not molest him!" Isabella scolded her son.

"For Pete's sake, Finnegan Kree." Daniel added.

"Hey! I wasn't doing anything." Finn retorted. Bran was hiding his own face, blushing from embarrassment, on the side of Finn's neck. "He hurt his butt, that's all."

'Oh, crap.' Finn cussed mentally.

"That's it." Isabella said. "Come here, Brandy. Leave your perverted husband to be."

Bran was too embarrassed to get off Finn's lap and face his uncle Daniel and Aunt Bella. That's how he calls them.

"See?" Finn pointed at Bran. "He wants to stay with me. I didn't do anything wrong." Finn got up with Bran wrapped on his body like a koala bear. "I'll take him to his room.

Bran let the other walk them back into the house. As they passed by Finn's parents, he heard the twenty four year old say, "We were just talking, mom."

With whatever retort Bella said, Bran tried not to hear it. He was already having a hard time calming himself, willing his heart to stop beating too fast. The closeness with Finn was making his thoughts go haywire and the butterflies on his belly were on full blown celebration like it's the fourth of July.

When they reached Bran's room, neither wanted to separate. Finn had sat down on Bran's bed. "Baby... we're here." He whispered. He couldn't let the boy sit on him for too long. It was getting dangerous.

Bran lifted his head and pursed his lips as he met Finn's eyes. "So I guess your parents really want you to marry me?"

"Mm." Finn nodded.

"Is that the reason why you got close to me again?"

"No!" Finn gasped. "God, no. Listen to me, baby. To be honest, I did try to forget you but I knew deep down it wasn't what I wanted. When my parents asked me to win you over before I was ready to come to terms with my plans and fears, I used it as an opportunity. I could have you with their approval being served to me.

I've always loved you, Bran. Maybe it's a blessing that I got a little push from them."

"But.. didn't you have lovers before you came back?"

"No. I never had any to speak of. I'll be honest, I slept with a number of people but no, none of them made me fall in love. This..." Finn took Bran's hand and placed it to the left part of his chest. "...only belonged to you."

"Really?"

"Yes." Finn answered. "So please believe me, love. Uh?"

Slowly, a warm smile curved on Bran's lips. "You really love me?"

"Yes."

"I'm only eighteen though." Bran murmured with a mischievous grin. "I still have four years of college."

"D-Do you want me to wait?" Finn nervously asked.

"I've waited for you for six years."

Finn blinked at Bran's pouty lips. "Okay..." He half whispered. "I'll wait, baby. But you're mine. Married or not yet."

"Okay." Bran replied. "Deal."

They both chuckled as they pressed their noses together, rubbing them playfully. It used to be how they closed their childhood deals. But this time, Finn added a new tradition. He held Bran by his nape and slowly made their lips meet.

It was a lover's kiss.

***The end***